Disclaimer: see my profile

JJ reclined on the partially raised exam table with her feet dangling over the edge. She held Reid's hand and tried to keep her breathing under control as they waited for the doctor and the ultrasound tech. Her husband smiled down at her and squeezed her hand tight. She saw the trepidation in his eyes and understood the provenance of his nerves. Even though it was their second ultrasound, this test was different, this time they would find out the sex of the baby.

"Jen," he said softly. "It's going to be okay."

"You should take your advice. You look like you're about to zone out on me."

"I'm fine," he insisted. "I'm a little anxious to find out if the baby is healthy."

"It is," she assured him. "The baby is healthy and growing like a weed," she joked as she put her hands on the slight curve of her abdomen. "Soon, I'm going to resemble a whale."

"That's what they all say," said Dr. Samuels as she entered the room with Rhonda, the ultrasound tech.

JJ blew out a breath and turned her gaze to the ultrasound machine. "I want to see the baby, Wilma."

"You first-time parents are so edgy," Dr. Samuels teased. "You're lucky that I'm as excited as you to see what we have growing inside my favorite patient."

Rhonda, a small woman with thin arms, legs, and blond hair cut short to frame her face, smeared gel over JJ's belly. Her large hazel eyes were fixed on the computer screen as she adjusted the transducer and hit a few keys on the wireless keyboard. She wore a pair of purple scrubs, white shoes, and a kind expression.

"There we go," said Dr. Samuels as the baby appeared on screen and the thrumming heartbeat filled the room with proof of a new life.

"I wish we could hear that every day," JJ said as tears collected in her eyes.

"So do I," Reid agreed as his eyes stayed glued to the screen.

"Everything looks great," Rhonda commented, and she began to show them different developing organs, the baby's tiny hands and feet, and the string of little pearls that made up its spinal column.

"Agreed," said Dr. Samuels. "You're right on track. We can definitively say that your due date is Labor Day."

Reid couldn't stop the smirk that took residence on his face. "Appropriate," he teased.

"Not funny," JJ shot back and squeezed his hand so tight, he tugged it free from her grasp.

"Hey."

She turned innocent blue eyes to him. "I'm just showing you what to expect when I'm in labor and you're holding my hand. It's possible that the pain may cause me to – overreact."

He pursed his lips and rolled his eyes while Rhonda and Dr. Samuels chuckled. "I'm sorry."

"Accepted," JJ said, and he smiled.

"If you two are done with the comedy routine, would you like to know the sex of your baby."

The couple nodded in unison and Rhonda repositioned the transducer. "Looks like you have a little girl."

Reid felt his heart jump into his throat and his eyes began to sting. "Really?"

"Yep," Rhonda showed him what she saw in the screen and he smiled so wide his mouth began to hurt.

"Good news, I take it," Dr. Samuels asked JJ.

"Oh yeah," she said, and a tear rolled down her cheek. "Spence was convinced."

"What about you?" Dr. Samuels asked.

"Well, I thought a cute little boy with his father's looks might be adorable, but I'm ecstatic for a healthy girl. I can't wait to shop."

"Jen," Reid groaned, and the woman laughed at him.

"You know that once Garcia finds out, she'll bury us in cute clothes. I want the chance to buy some outfits before she goes crazy," JJ informed him.

"Fine, but I get to buy the books."

Dr. Samuels chuckled at his serious assertion. "I don't think she's old enough to read, Spencer."

"Doesn't matter," JJ put in before he could reply. "Spence is determined that his child will love to read."

"He's right," Dr. Samuels said and made him beam. "Studies have shown that children who are read to from a young age do better in school."

"Then I think you better stock up on books," JJ told him.

"I will," he promised.

CMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCM

"So," JJ asked when they reached the car. "When do you want to tell the team?"

"Tomorrow," he said.

She grinned over at him as she started her car. "I've never seen you so excited. That smile on your face makes me happy, babe."

"Are you," he wondered. "I know you wanted a boy."

"Spence, I am beyond happy. I only care if she's healthy and strong. I love my little girl."

"So, do I," he said and reached over to touch her abdomen. "I wish I could feel her kick."

"Soon," she assured him. "In a few weeks, she'll be kicking hard enough to make her mother cranky."

He laughed and ducked away when she glanced over at him with violence in her eyes. "Keep your eyes on the road," he said as he chuckled.

"Cute. Take care, or you'll sleep on the couch tonight."

CMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCM

JJ stayed late looking at case files to make up for taking time off to go to the doctor. Reid had tried to convince her to leave, and when she wouldn't, he'd stayed on to wait for her and catch up with his paperwork.

She was about to leave when she got the call about a suicide in Atlanta that didn't add up. When the paperwork came through on the fax machine, she stared in amazement and went to find Hotch.

After they arrived at the small out of the way cabin where the man had blown out his brains, she wondered if she'd be able to keep her lunch in her stomach. It was hot, humid and decomp was setting in rapidly. She decided to focus on the wall of his victims and help the team figure out what this man had done to them.

The faces of the women on the wall increased her nausea. She tried not to think of the torture they'd suffered before the man behind her had taken their lives. She put a hand on her abdomen and made a silent promise that no man would hurt her girl in such a manner.

When they determined that Rebecca Daniels might be alive, they all put their full attention on finding her. JJ found it difficult to maintain her attention she heard Morgan and Emily call Spence over and then he sat down on a stack of boxes and began to read. She loved to watch him read because he had the ability to shut out everything around him. Spence once told her that when he read, he could hear the words in his head as though the writer spoke to him. This time, he came back to life during the profile and came up with the conclusion that the killer had a partner.

Later, she left the stifling and stomach-turning crime scene to talk to the press. They wanted to run with the story, but she convinced them to hold off. Unfortunately, the local LEO's told them everything which complicated matters considerably and made her want to give them all a strongly worded piece of her mind.

The revelation that his partner was a woman sent chills down her spine. How could any woman participate in the rape and murder of another? To her, it was the ultimate betrayal of their sex and anger flashed into her blood, making her cold, then hot. She clamped down on it and did the job. Thanks to the efforts of the lead detective, they found Rebecca and the baby born of two psychopathic personalities.

CMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCM

JJ joined Reid on the jet after he lost a poker hand to Emily. He ignored her and shuffled through the deck, as he muttered to himself about never losing and how did she do it?

"Hey, babe," JJ said and smirked when he continued to go through the cards as if he'd lost his best friend. "Spence."

He finally looked up at her and the confusion in his eyes almost made her laugh. "What?"

"Why are you muttering?"

"I lost."

"Yeah, I got that. Why is that such a problem?"

"I never lose."

"Honey, it's not the end of the world. You –" She stopped and put a hand to her abdomen.

"What's wrong?"

"The baby's kicking– hard. I can feel it with my hand."

She reached for his hand and placed it on the left side of her belly. He waited and suddenly a small movement, like a light tap on a door hit his palm. "Wow."

She grinned at the happy light in his eyes. "What do you think?"

"It's amazing. I know that babies kick to explore movement and strengthen their muscles, but this is – I don't know how to describe it."He leaned down and whispered. "Hi, my little princess. I love you."

"What did you say?" Emily asked as she returned from the lavatory.

JJ looked at Reid and he nodded. It wasn't what they'd planned, but good news after such a terrible case was gold. "I was talking to our daughter."

"It's a girl," Emily said, and her dark eyes lit up. "That's wonderful. Congratulations."

"Congratulations for what," Morgan wanted to know as he pulled off his headphones. "I'm trying to sleep."

"Our baby is a girl. We wanted to tell you guys at the BAU, but –"

"A girl," Morgan said and grinned from ear to ear. "Wait till I call Garcia."

"What's going on?" Rossi wondered.

"Might as well tell them," JJ said to Reid.

"We're having a girl."

Hotch and Rossi wished them well and Rossi said. "We need to have a toast."

"I can't drink," JJ reminded him.

"I know, but I think we can find an acceptable substitute when we get back," Hotch said and shocked Reid by smiling so widely it changed his entire face.

"Of course, we can," Rossi added. "I have just the thing in my office."

"Why doesn't it surprise me that you would," Emily put in.

"Hush," Rossi retorted and they all laughed.

JJ settled back a few minutes later and rested her head on Reid's shoulder. "Spence?"

"Hm…"

"I talked to Rossi and Hotch about the baby boy. They said he'd probably be alright if he grows up in a loving home. What do you think?"

"I agree. The argument between nature and nurture has merits on both sides, but if you want to know what holds weight with me, I say nurture."

"I agree," JJ said and sighed when her husband put his hand on her belly and closed his eyes. Soon, they slept and when the jet touched down a few hours later, she felt the baby kick again. Reid's eyes popped open and he said. "Thanks for the wakeup call, baby-girl."

"Hey," Morgan waggled a finger at him. "No stealing my nickname for Garcia. There's only one Baby-Girl."

JJ pretended to throw the deck of cards at him. "Go away, Morgan."

CMCMCMCMCMCM

Garcia waited for them when they exited the elevator. She rushed at JJ and Reid and hugged them both so hard, JJ had to squirm out of her arms. "Hey, I'm pregnant remember?"

"Yes, I do, and I'm so upset that you told everyone on the plane that you're having a beautiful baby girl."

"She didn't have a choice," Reid said. "It was my fault. I got caught talking to the baby."

"Aw, that's so cute."

Rossi rolled his eyes and Hotch nearly laughed at the exasperation on JJ's face. "It wasn't cute, it was nauseating," Morgan said with a teasing light in his dark eyes.

"Now you know how I feel," JJ said.

"Good one," Emily said.

"Still, I think we need to start planning a baby shower for you now that we know the gender of Baby Genius Reid." Garcia reached for Emily and JJ's hands, but they planted their feet when she tried to tug them away. "PG," Emily said. "Calm down. We'll plan it later. It's time to go home."

"Right," Garcia agreed. "We can talk about it tomorrow."

JJ raised her eyebrows when Reid sighed loudly, and Morgan laughed. "Tomorrow," JJ said and winked at her husband.

"Everyone go home, we'll worry about paperwork in the morning," Hotch said and reminded them that this was their place of employment.

"Right on, my liege," Garcia saluted him. "Come on, let's go have a non-alcoholic toast before we leave."